Happy Valentine's Day

Whether you are attached or single, we want to wish you all our love on Valentine's Day!  Gary and I haven't traditionally celebrated Valentine's in a major way, but we are doing something special this year.  Let me explain:

Five years ago, Gary and I were seniors in college.  We were also secretly engaged--only our families and a handful of friends knew.  Being the cash-strapped students we were (and having been together already for nearly 9 years), I had not yet been given an engagement ring even though we had already taken care of a bulk of the planning.  Gary's mom had given him a diamond ring for me, but it needed to be re-set.  In January of 2006 (DePauw's winter term), Gary and I moved to Naples, FL to make some money at a restaurant.  After 3.5 weeks of really hard work (double shifts waitressing and food-running), we had amassed a nice chunk of change!  We ended up using the bulk of that money to pay for our future honeymoon, but Gary also used a portion on my engagement ring.

That February, the ring was ready for pick up.  Valentine's Day was approaching, but instead of being too cliche, Gary and I decided we'd go for a special dinner the day after Valentine's Day--it would be much easier to get a reservation!  We chose a restaurant we'd never been to:  Palomino in downtown Indy.  So, on February 15, 2006, Gary and I dressed up and headed to Indianapolis.  We had a wonderful dinner at Palomino, during which Gary gave me a card.  I don't recall all of the wording inside, but I do remember a portion of what he wrote inside:  "I can't wait to make this official."  Not being ones to make a big scene, Gary came and sat next to me on the booth seat and opened the ring box.  Even though I had a say in the ring, I was still in awe of it--what girl isn't?!  It was a really special night.  The weekend following we announced our happy news to Gary's closest friends at his 22nd birthday dinner.  I had a candlepass at my sorority to announce the news the next week.  What a fun time that was!

It is hard to believe that was five years ago!  So, in honor of our engagement anniversary, Gary and I are headed to dinner at Palomino this Tuesday, February 15th, the day after Valentine's Day.  To add to the nostalgia, many of the friends we celebrated Gary's 22nd birthday are joining us this weekend to celebrate his 27th birthday dinner!

<3 I hope you all get to celebrate the people and things you love this Valentine's Day!  <3